Meet Wendy Yu Huong Thai | Co-Captain of the Hub

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Yu Huong Thai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy Yu, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At its heart, our business is about creating a ‘third place’ for the community—a space that’s not home, not work, but somewhere people can simply be themselves and pursue what brings them joy. The Happy Humble Hub is a gathering spot for dreamers, side hustlers, creatives, and community builders. Whether someone’s launching a small business, hosting a comedy night, leading a workshop, or crafting the perfect latte, we’re here to connect the dots. We provide the space, support, and community to help ideas grow.

More than just a venue, we act as a connector—introducing people to resources, collaborators, and new opportunities so they can take their passion to the next level. It’s about lifting each other up and creating a place where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to make an impact in their own way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Happy Humble Hub was born from the vision of two female immigrants working 100+ hour weeks in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of corporate America. While our careers focus on strategy, leadership, and problem-solving, the Hub is something deeply personal — a space we created not just for ourselves, but for others chasing their own creative dreams. It’s our heart project.

We’re incredibly proud to have built something from scratch — no investors, no shortcuts. Just grit, late nights, and an unshakable belief in what we were doing. What sets us apart is our ability to stay grounded in the face of uncertainty. Growing up in humble households taught us how to stretch every dollar, adapt quickly, and stay resilient — and those lessons carried us through this journey. The path to building the Hub was anything but smooth. There were setbacks at nearly every turn — from painfully slow onboarding at City Hall to major delays in furniture and décor due to port strikes. Our soft opening was shut down unexpectedly by the fire marshal, despite having received prior approvals. We had to navigate unclear city regulations, redo major work without guidance, and deal with vendor challenges that tested our patience and boundaries. There were moments when we felt completely depleted — emotionally, financially, and physically. We sold off personal stock, dipped into savings, and worked our day jobs by day while pouring everything we had into the Hub at night. But we kept going, because we believed in the purpose behind it. We weren’t just building a space — we were building a community.

What we’re most proud of is that even through the toughest moments, we never lost our values. We put people before profit. We led with kindness, protected our boundaries, and kept our doors open to creativity, collaboration, and connection. We made space for others to dream, to test ideas, to grow. At the end of the day, the Hub isn’t just a place — it’s a story of perseverance, of staying true to your why, and of creating something meaningful against the odds. And that’s what we want the world to know: we didn’t just open a business. We built something rooted in love, intention, and community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d take them straight to the San Gabriel Valley — the place that raised us. To someone just passing through, the SGV might seem like another stretch of suburban sprawl east of L.A. But to us, it’s sacred ground — a patchwork of immigrant stories, resilience, and some of the best food on the planet. This is where our parents landed with nothing but hope and a suitcase. Where not speaking English didn’t mean you didn’t belong, because the language of care and hard work spoke louder than words. The SGV isn’t flashy — but it’s rich in heart. And that’s exactly what I’d want my friend to feel. A week wouldn’t be enough.
There are too many family-owned spots with recipes perfected over generations, too many hidden gems tucked between unassuming strip malls, and too many neighborhoods rich with history, hustle, and heart. The SGV feeds you — not just incredible food, but stories, culture, and community.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We want to take a moment to give a big, humble shoutout to the folks who’ve been part of our story—those who deserve a little extra credit and a whole lot of appreciation.

To the generous business owners who offered up their precious time, whether through administrative support, hands-on help at the Hub, or simply sharing their wisdom—we see you, and we’re so grateful.

To our rockstar intern Yu Tan, thank you for showing up every weekend, always on time, always ready to help with a smile. Your presence has been steady and meaningful.

To the Downtown Alhambra Association, thank you for listening to our rants, supporting us through the highs and lows, and cheering us on in both small gestures and big moves.

To the local businesses in Downtown Alhambra, thank you for your guidance, for the open arms, for reminding us what true community looks like.

To the vendors and organizers who’ve stuck with us—thank you for believing in what we’re building and helping us keep the energy alive.

To our families, who’ve given up vacations, retirement plans, and weekends to help us chase this dream—we couldn’t do it without you.

And lastly, a little shoutout to ourselves. For grinding it out. For juggling full-time jobs by day and running the Hub by night and on weekends—no rest, just heart. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we know we’ve only just begun.

Website: https://happyhumblehub.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhumblehub_h3/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/happy-humble-hub-alhambra?osq=Happy+Humble+Hub

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EfjazL-x28

Other: https://linktr.ee/Happyhumblehub